Molding plant



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INVENTOR. Zia/4R0 E/J/IOP e02 200 20a MW MOLDING PLANT Leonard J. Bishop, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to Mechanical Handiing Systems, Inc, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Original application August 6, 1951, Serial No. 240,567. Divided and this application July 28, 1952, Serial No. 301,340

14 Claims. (Cl. 18-4) This invention relates to apparatus embodying a conveyor and having provision for producing a product of manufacture while the latter is advanced along a predetermined path of travel, and is a division of my copending application, Ser. No. 240,567 filed August 6, 1951, now Patent 2,713,935 of July 26, 1955.

Although the apparatus is not restricted for use in the manufacture of any specific type of product, nevertheless, it finds particular utility when employed in the production of moldable products, such for example, as foam rubber mattresses, pillows and the like.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide apparatus capable of being installed in a relatively small space, and having provision for performing the various steps in the method of manufacture of a selected product in one continuous operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a conveyor having a flexible linear member, such for example, as a chain constructed in a manner to enable advancing the same along a continuous closed path of travel having sections arranged at different elevations.

It is still another object of this invention to connect one end of a carriage to the flexible linear member in a manner such that the carriage may be swung upwardly relative to the linear member and may also be turned to either side of the path of travel of the linear member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a guide for the carriage having provision for tilting or raising the carriage relative to the linear member as the latter travels from one elevation to another. This construction attributes several distinct advantages to the apparatus, among which are: (1) it permits reducing the radius of curvature of the linear member at the zones where a change in elevation occurs without interference with the carriage; and (2) it permits maintaining the carriage level as the elevation of the linear member varies. Hence the elevation of the carriage may be abruptly changed without the danger of tilting or otherwise disturbing the horizontal position of the carriage. This latter feature is especially desirable where molds containing a liquid or fluid material are supported on the carriage.

A still further object of this invention is to support the swinging end of the carriage on the linear member .by a part projecting upwardly from the linear member between laterally spaced guiding surfaces on the carriage. The guiding surfaces extend in the direction of the length of the linear member and the supporting part is removable from the space between said surfaces in response to swinging movement of the carriage in an upward direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pallet having a mold supporting base section and having a lid hinged along one side edge to the base section for swinging movement between open and closed positions relative to the mold carrying base section.

Still another feature of this invention is to provide means on the pallet base section for removably holding molds of various sizes, and to also provide means on the 2,755,505 Patented July 24, 1.956

lid for removably supporting covers of a size to close the molds mounted on the base section.

A further object of this invention is to provide a construction of the type noted in the two preceding paragraphs wherein the pallet and its associated lid are quickly removably supported on the carriage.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means for successively opening and closing the pallet lid relative to the base section as the carriage is successively advanced by the linear member to a stripping or unloading station and to a filling or loading station.

Another object of this invention is to suspend the conveyor chain or flexible linear member from a track having a looped section supported on a platform which is adjustable in a direction to vary the effective length of the linear member and thereby affords a simple take-up for this member.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a track of the type set forth in the preceding paragraph having rails equipped with extensible sections to enable the length of the track to be varied in response to movement of the take-up means.

In addition to the foregoing the present invention contemplates apparatus wherein the conveyor track passes through a heating tunnel or chamber, and wherein both the track and the tunnel are equipped with expansion joints, which compensate for temperature variations that may exist from time to time within the tunnel.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a semidiagrammatic plan view of approximately one-half of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2A is a semidiagrammatic plan view of the remainder of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view partly broken away of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;

Figure 3A is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in section showing one of the mountings for the pallet on the carriage;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through one of the mold supporting carriages;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the pallet supported on the carriage;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the pallet lid;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the connection between the pallet and the carriage;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 1111 of Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view looking in the direction of the arrows 12-12 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional View of a part,

of the conveyor chain and showing the carriage in position thereon;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view showing the takeup means provided at one end of the conveyor;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on the line 1616 of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line 17--17 of Figure 14; 

